Hernando judge transferring to Marion County to be closer to home

BROOKSVILLE - Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti will be transferring to Marion County this fall to replace retiring Judge Sandra Edwards-Stephens.

"I'm going home," Tatti said on Wednesday.

Tatti took over retired Circuit Judge Jack Springstead's seat in 2011 and was re-elected in 2012. Before becoming a judge, Tatti was a prosecutor for more than 20 years and spent much of the time in Hernando and Citrus counties.

"I've always lived in Ocala (while working in Hernando) ... my family is entrenched there," Tatti said, explaining when he became a judge he knew at some point a position would open up closer to home.

Tatti said his wife in particular, who runs a day care, is excited to have him less than an hour's drive away. Tatti has two sons at home, one in high school and another in elementary school.

Tatti's last day as a Hernando County judge depends on various moving parts. The Judicial Nominating Committee will need to review, interview and approve a new judge for the Hernando County post, which can take more than two months, Tatti said.

Tatti said hopefully neither county will be short a judge by the end of October or beginning of November. Before he leaves, Tatti hopes to resolve some of the older and more serious criminal cases on his docket.

Tatti said he's gotten a "great deal of experience" in Hernando County, handling most areas of law.